Toe protection insert for an athletic shoe

ABSTRACT

A toe protection insert for an athletic shoe surrounds the big toe and laces up to protect the toe from injury. The laces of the insert are designed to pull through the shoelace holes of the athletic shoe, to enable the user to position the toe as desired. Specialized socks are also provided, which separate the big toe from the other toes.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/905107, filed Nov. 15, 2013, which is hereby incorporated byreference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTINGCOMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to sports equipment and accessories andin particular to a toe protection insert for an athletic shoe. Allathletes are well aware that protecting their feet and toes, both fromnew injuries and aggravation of existing injuries, is essential formobility and staying competitive. But with the proliferation ofAstroturf™ and similar artificial surfaces, the injury known as “turftoe” has unfortunately become widespread among athletes. Applyingathletic tape before training and competition, and removing itafterward, has provided some degree of protection but it often must befixed multiple times during the sporting activity and is thereforetime-consuming and inconvenient. A toe protection insert for athleticshoes would help to resolve this problem. In particular an insert thatsurrounds the big toe and laces up to protect the toe from injury wouldbe useful. The laces of the insert are designed to pull through theshoelace holes of the athletic shoe, to enable the user to position thetoe as desired. Specialized socks are also provided, which separate thebig toe from the other toes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the invention is directed to a toe protection insert for anathletic shoe. The insert surrounds the big toe and laces up to protectthe toe from injury. The laces of the insert are designed to pullthrough the shoelace holes of the athletic shoe, to enable the user toposition the toe as desired. Specialized socks are also provided, whichseparate the big toe from the other toes.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth inthe description which follows, and will be apparent from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Theforegoing general description and the following detailed description areexemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide furtherexplanation of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention and are incorporated into and constitutea part of the specification. They illustrate one embodiment of theinvention and, together with the description, serve to explain theprinciples of the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a top view of the first exemplary embodiment, displayingthe insert 10, the laces 10A, the fabric sleeve 11, the toe sleeve 12,the strap 13, and the cushion bubble layer 15.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the first exemplary embodiment, displayingthe insert 10, the laces 10A, the fabric sleeve 11, the toe sleeve 12,the tabs 14, and the cushion bubble layer 15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the invention in more detail, the invention is directedto a toe protection insert 10 for an athletic shoe. The insert 10surrounds the big toe in two parts and laces up to allow adjustabletension on the toe. Tension on the laces 10A will protect the toe frominjury. The laces 10A of the insert 10 are intended to be pulled throughthe shoelace holes of the athletic shoe, according to a method of use,to enable the user to position the toe as desired by tightening thelaces 10A to a desired tension, threading the laces 10A through theshoelace holes of the athletic shoe, adjusting the position of the toeto a desired location, and tying the laces 10A outside of the athleticshoe. For this reason, the laces 10A are preferably long relative to thelength of the insert as shown. Specialized socks are also provided,which separate the big toe from the other toes.

The first exemplary embodiment features an insert 10 which is generallyfootprint shaped according to well-known methods of producing shoeinserts and is preferably manufactured from a semi-rigid, durablematerial such as plastic. The insert 10 is sufficiently flexible toenable the ball of the user's foot to bend comfortably withoutsignificant resistance. A fabric sleeve 11 covers the insert 10,providing a thin layer of shock-absorbing foam padding for the user'scomfort, and is easily removed and machine washable. The insert 10 ispreferably available in a plurality of colors to match professional,college, and high school sports colors. In addition, a cushion bubblelayer 15 is provided throughout the sole of the insert as a shockabsorber; the cushion bubble layer 15 comprises a pattern of circularbubble made of a flexible membrane and filled with air or othercompressible fluid.

The toe sleeve 12 is affixed to the top surface of the insert 10 in theposition of the big toe of a human wearer's foot placed upon the insert10 (in the claims, the “big toe position”). The toe sleeve 12 completelysurrounds the big toe. A removable strap 13 is affixed to the top of theinsert 10 in the position of the four smaller toes (in the claims, the“lesser toes positions”), preventing the foot from sliding forwardwithin the shoe and injuring the toes. An alternate embodiment,featuring two straps 13 to secure the toes and prevent the foot fromsliding, is also contemplated.

A plurality of tabs 14 is provided around the perimeter of the insert10, to hold the insert 10 firmly in position inside the shoe. The tabs14, and the perimeter of the insert 10, feature internal cavities whichmay be easily compressed to ensure a perfect fit. The socks featureadditional layers of fabric between the big toe and the second toe forthe user's comfort, and also feature a high-friction microdot surface onthe sole, further preventing the foot from sliding forward within theshoe. The socks and the fabric sleeve 11 feature a wicking property todraw perspiration away from the skin of the foot.

The insert 10, the toe sleeve 12, the strap 13, and the tabs 14 arepreferably manufactured from a semi-rigid, durable material such asplastic. The laces 10A are preferably manufactured from a flexible,durable material with substantial strength, such as nylon. The fabricsleeve 11 is preferably manufactured from a flexible, durable fabricwhich is machine washable, such as elasticized cotton, and features athin layer of padding which is preferably manufactured from a flexible,durable material such as foam rubber. The cushion bubble layer ispreferably made of a flexible plastic membrane material. Embodimentswherein the components are manufactured from perflorinated compounds arealso contemplated. Components, component sizes, and materials listedabove are preferable, but artisans will recognize that alternatecomponents and materials could be selected without altering the scope ofthe invention.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one ofordinary skill to make and use what is presently considered to be thebest mode thereof, those of ordinary skill in the art will understandand appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, andequivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. Theinvention should, therefore, not be limited by the above describedembodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methodswithin the scope and spirit of the invention.

I claim:
 1. A toe protection insert for an athletic shoe comprising aninsert, a toe sleeve, said toe sleeve being affixed to the top of saidinsert in the big toe position of said insert.
 2. The toe protectioninsert of claim 1 further comprising a strap, said strap being removablyaffixed to the top of said insert in the lesser toe position of saidinsert.
 3. The toe protection insert of claim 1 wherein said toe sleeveis composed of two parts and adjustably tensioned by laces.
 4. The toeprotection insert of claim 1 wherein said insert is covered by a fabricsleeve.
 5. The toe protection insert of claim 1 wherein said insert isfilled by a cushion bubble layer.
 6. The toe protection insert of claim3 further comprising a strap, said strap being removably affixed to thetop of said insert in the lesser toe position of said insert.
 7. The toeprotection insert of claim 4 further comprising a strap, said strapbeing removably affixed to the top of said insert in the lesser toeposition of said insert.
 8. The toe protection insert of claim 5 furthercomprising a strap, said strap being removably affixed to the top ofsaid insert in the lesser toe position of said insert.
 9. The toeprotection insert of claim 4 wherein said toe sleeve is composed of twoparts and adjustably tensioned by laces.
 10. The toe protection insertof claim 5 wherein said toe sleeve is composed of two parts andadjustably tensioned by laces.
 11. The toe protection insert of claim 5wherein said insert is covered by a fabric sleeve.
 12. The toeprotection insert of claim 9 further comprising a strap, said strapbeing removably affixed to the top of said insert in the lesser toeposition of said insert.
 13. The toe protection insert of claim 10further comprising a strap, said strap being removably affixed to thetop of said insert in the lesser toe position of said insert.
 14. Thetoe protection insert of claim 11 further comprising a strap, said strapbeing removably affixed to the top of said insert in the lesser toeposition of said insert.
 15. The toe protection insert of claim 12wherein said insert is filled by a cushion bubble layer.
 16. A method ofuse of the toe protection insert of claim 3 comprising tightening saidlaces as desired, threading the laces through the shoelaces of anathletic shoe in which said insert is installed, adjusting the positionof said toe sleeve as desired, and tying said laces on the exterior ofsaid athletic shoe in which said insert is installed.
 16. (canceled) 17.A method of use of the toe protection insert of claim 6 comprisingtightening said laces as desired, threading the laces through theshoelaces of an athletic shoe in which said insert is installed,adjusting the position of said toe sleeve as desired, and tying saidlaces on the exterior of said athletic shoe in which said insert isinstalled.
 18. A method of use of the toe protection insert of claim 9comprising tightening said laces as desired, threading the laces throughthe shoelaces of an athletic shoe in which said insert is installed,adjusting the position of said toe sleeve as desired, and tying saidlaces on the exterior of said athletic shoe in which said insert isinstalled.
 19. A method of use of the toe protection insert of claim 10comprising tightening said laces as desired, threading the laces throughthe shoelaces of an athletic shoe in which said insert is installed,adjusting the position of said toe sleeve as desired, and tying saidlaces on the exterior of said athletic shoe in which said insert isinstalled.
 20. A method of use of the toe protection insert of claim 15comprising tightening said laces as desired, threading the laces throughthe shoelaces of an athletic shoe in which said insert is installed,adjusting the position of said toe sleeve as desired, and tying saidlaces on the exterior of said athletic shoe in which said insert isinstalled.